Construction anchoring devices

ABSTRACT

An anchor system is disclosed in which one or more anchoring devices are used to secure a first member, such as a door frame, to a second member, such as a wall. The anchoring devices include a base platform and an attachment wall for attachment to a second member, such as a structural support member. First and second end walls of the anchoring device are formed at ends of the base platform. An engagement is provided on the base platform or elsewhere for connection of one anchoring device to another. The anchor system is connectable so that one of the first or second walls of one of the anchoring devices defines a first end of the anchor system, and the other of the first or second walls of a connected anchoring device defines a second end of the anchor system. The first and second ends of the anchor system define a width of the anchor system, for engagement with first members of varying widths.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is in the field of construction devices and anchor systems for securing construction components such as steel studs and door frames and other types of structural members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Modern building construction involves the use of thousands of different types of prefabricated building components. For example, steel studs and door frames are made of different types of channels, which must be secured to other components, such as wall construction studs. This requires the use of many different types of fasteners. Doorways are made in wall construction by pre-fabricated frames which are fastened or anchored to wood or metal studs. Door frames are attached to wall studs with anchor devices that receive fasteners such as nails or screws. One type of anchor device is in the form of a box-shaped structure with a front wall and side walls and a size and shape that corresponds to an interior profile of a door frame member providing a door jamb. A plurality of anchor devices are mounted on studs around the door frame, in order to anchor the door frame to form a door jamb. Door frame members are made in a large number of different sizes. It is common prior practice to simply make different size anchor members, to accommodate each specific door frame size. However, due to the many different types of building components such as door frames, this approach requires many different fastener or anchoring parts, each of which require separate tooling and packaging, resulting in increased cost. Also, a separate inventory must be maintained for each specific anchor size, resulting in additional storage and other expenses.

[0003] In order to overcome these inefficiencies, adjustable anchor pieces have been devised. A split anchor of this type is essentially formed of two half-anchor pieces, each piece having a front wall and only a single side wall. The half-anchor pieces are adjustably connected so that the end walls define the desired width to fit within a door frame member. The width of the anchor can be adjusted by varying the displacement between the end walls. In this manner, the split-anchor design can be used with a range of door frame widths. However, this design requires two parts for each door frame anchor. This effectively doubles the expense of each door anchor, since double the material is required, along with doubling the manufacturing, inventory and shipping expenses. The majority of doorjamb applications are for only one standard size. Therefore, the two-piece anchor system is not the most economical for a large percentage of installations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an anchoring device for anchoring a frame member to a support member, the anchoring device including a base platform having a plurality of edges; an attachment wall which extends from an edge of the base platform, the attachment wall configured for attachment to the support member; an abutment wall which extends from an edge of the base platform for positioning proximate to the frame member; first and second end walls which extend from generally opposite edges of the base platform for positioning proximate to generally opposed surfaces of the frame member, and a connector on the base platform for connection of the anchoring device to another anchoring device.

[0005] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided an anchoring device that includes a base platform, an attachment wall which extends from the base platform; first and second end walls located at ends of the base platform; an engagement on the base platform for connection of the anchoring device to another anchoring device; the first end wall defining a first end of the anchor device for placement proximate to a first surface of a member to be anchored by the anchoring device, and the second end wall a second end of the anchor device for placement proximate to a second surface of the member to be anchored by the anchoring device.

[0006] The invention is capable of other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of an anchor member of the present invention.

[0008]FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective and end views of an anchor member of the invention attached to a door frame member;

[0009]FIGS. 3A and 3B show two anchor pieces of the invention engaged in different positions, and

[0010]FIG. 3C is a perspective view of two engaged anchor pieces of the invention forming an anchor system engaged with a frame member.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS

[0011]FIGS. 1A and 1B depict an anchor device 10 (also referred to herein as an “anchoring device”) fabricated in accordance with the present invention. The anchor device 10 includes a base platform 12. An attachment wall or extension 14 is configured to extend from the base platform 12, for attachment to a structural support member such as a wood or metal stud, or any other type of support member used to define a door frame for supporting a door jamb, or to any other structural member in a building or machine, generally and collectively referred to herein as “second member” or “support member”. The attachment wall 14 can include any structure for securely attaching to a second member such as a wall stud. In the preferred embodiment, the attachment wall 14 is formed along an edge of the base platform 12. A strap member 15 extends from the attachment wall 14 and can be wrapped around a second member or stud and secured. The strap member 15 preferably includes one or more attachment features or structures 151, such as holes or notches, for receiving one or more fasteners, e.g. nails or screws, for attachment to a wall construction stud or other type of second member.

[0012] The anchor device 10 further includes first and second end walls 20, 22, located at respective lateral ends of the base platform 12. As shown in the figures, the end walls 20, 22 are preferably formed perpendicular to the plane of the base platform 12. The end walls 20, 22 define first and second ends of the anchor system, as explained in greater detail below.

[0013] An abutment wall 16 extends from the base platform 12, opposite attachment wall 14. The abutment wall 16 provides an abutment surface for a door frame member 40, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The door frame member 40 is also generally referred to as a “first member” or “frame member”. Other than door frame member 40, the first member may be any piece, part, structure, member or device which is attached or connected to a second member by anchor device 10. In the preferred embodiment, the abutment wall 16 is generally parallel to the attachment wall 14 or has a slight taper, or angle of a few degrees relative to the base platform 12. Both are perpendicular to the plane of the base platform 12 and also to the end walls 20, 22. In the preferred embodiment, the base platform 12, the attachment wall 14, the end walls 20, 22 and the abutment 16 are all stamped or otherwise formed as a single, integrated piece of metal or other suitable material. However, each of the component parts of the anchor device 10 can be made separately and assembled together.

[0014] The anchor device 10 further includes elements for connection of one anchor device 10 to an identical anchor device 10. One type of connection between identical anchor devices 10 is formed in the base platform 12, so that the base platforms 12 of two anchor devices 10 are connected in a back-to-back abutting arrangement, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C. The interconnection of two anchor members 10 is preferably a tab and slot arrangement in which a tab 30 is formed on the base platform 12. One or more slots 32 are also formed in the base platform 12 so that a tab 30 from one anchor device 10 is received within a slot 32 of another anchor device 10, in the back-to-back arrangement shown in FIGS. 3A-3B.

[0015] In the anchor system shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, a first anchoring device 10A is connected to a second anchoring device 10B in a generally opposed arrangement, wherein the respective base platforms 12 are in planar contact, that is, they are generally flush against each other, and wherein the end walls of the combined anchoring devices extend in opposite directions. The first and second anchor members 10A, 10B each respectively include first and second end walls 20A, 22A, 20B, 22B. In one configuration, the depicted combination of anchoring devices may be generally aligned, that is the base platforms 12 of each of the anchoring devices 10A, 10B may be generally aligned at the perimeters and end-to-end, so that the respective end walls of the anchoring devices are generally aligned. This provides a double anchoring device for increased anchoring strength.

[0016] Alternatively, the combination may be configured with the base platforms 12 laterally offset, as shown in FIG. 3A. Lateral offset of the base platforms 12 to a greater extent is illustrated in FIG. 3B, wherein the lateral extent of the opposing side walls 20A and 20B is increased for use with wider width door frames. The anchoring devices 10A, 10B are connected in a laterally offset arrangement so that an end wall from one anchoring device 10A, 10B defines a first end of the anchor system and an end wall of another anchoring device defines a second end of the anchor system. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 3A and 3B, the respective first end walls 20A, 20B define the first and second ends of the combined anchor system. When attached to a structural support member (second member), the first and second ends 20A, 20B define the required width of a door frame (first member), for attachably receiving a door frame 40, as indicated by FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0017] The width of the anchoring device 10 can be selected by inserting each tab 30 in a respective slot 32. As shown in FIG. 3A, the anchoring devices 10A, 10B can be connected in this manner to provide an anchor system with a width of, for example, 6.25 inches. As shown in FIG. 3B, the anchoring devices 10A, 10B can be connected to provide an anchor system with a greater width such as, for example, 8.75 inches. Intermediate widths, for example 6.75, 7.25, 7.75 or 8.25 inches can be provided with a six-slot arrangement, as illustrated, but any widths can be provided by a suitable number and spacing of slots, all within the scope of the invention.

[0018] In another embodiment of the invention, a single anchoring device 10 can be used as the anchor system, and the first and second end walls 20, 22 define the first and second ends of the anchor system for abutment to the opposed interior walls of the door plane. In one particular embodiment, the distance between the first and second end walls 20, 22 is, for example, 5.75 inches. The anchoring device 10 is attached directly to a stud in order to anchor a door frame which has a channel which is 5.75 inches wide. The anchoring device and door frame dimensions are exemplary only and the invention is not limited to these particular dimensions.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3C, the anchoring device 10 engages a door frame member 40 to anchor or otherwise secure a door jamb or any other type of frame member. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a single anchor device 10 is shown supporting the door frame member 40. However, it should be understood and appreciated that an anchor system as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B can also be employed to receive a door frame member 40 of corresponding width.

[0020] An anchor system is thereby provided in which a one-piece universal anchoring device can be used to engage and anchor door frame or other construction components or pieces of a wide range of dimensions. The one-piece universal anchoring device system can optionally be expanded to provide a greater door frame width, to accommodate the needs of a specific construction project. In this way, it is no longer necessary to manufacture and stock a number of different width door anchors. Also, it is no longer necessary to be limited to a two-piece anchor for every specific width. Therefore, the present invention offers greater versatility and efficiency, and can reduce the costs of manufacturing, inventory and shipping. Thus, the present invention offers superior results over those obtained using previous-type anchor systems.

[0021] As described, the present invention provides a novel anchoring system adaptable to many different dimensions, applications and installations. Alterations and variations in the details, materials and arrangements of parts of the invention as described and illustrated are within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims and equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed:
 1. An anchoring device comprising: a base platform, an attachment wall which extends from the base platform; first and second end walls located at ends of the base platform; an engagement on the base platform for connection of the anchoring device to another anchoring device; the first end wall defining a first end of the anchor device for placement proximate to a first surface of a member to be anchored by the anchoring device, and the second end wall a second end of the anchor device for placement proximate to a second surface of the member to be anchored by the anchoring device.
 2. The anchoring device of claim 1 connected with a second anchoring device wherein the first and second end walls of the connected anchor members define the first and second ends of a combination anchoring device for placement proximate to the first and second surfaces of a member to be anchored by the combination anchoring device.
 3. The anchoring device of claim 1 connected to a second anchoring device so that one of the first and second end walls of one of the anchoring devices defines a first end of the anchoring device, and wherein one of the first and second end walls from the respective other of the anchoring device defines a second end of the combination anchoring device.
 4. The anchoring device of claim 2 wherein the engagement for connecting the first and second anchoring devices is formed on the base platforms of the anchoring devices.
 5. The anchoring device of claim 2 wherein the engagement for connecting the anchoring devices comprises a tab and slot formed on the base platform so that a tab from each anchoring device is receivable with a slot of the other anchoring device.
 6. The anchoring device of claim 5 wherein the tab and slot of the engagement comprises a plurality of slots formed along the base platform for the tabs to define a width of the anchoring device from one end wall to an opposing end wall.
 7. The anchoring device of claim 1 further comprising an abutment wall located at an edge of the base platform.
 8. The anchoring device of claim 7 wherein the attachment wall extends from an edge of the base platform.
 9. The anchoring device of claim 1 wherein the attachment wall comprises a strap member which extends beyond the end walls.
 10. An anchoring device comprising: a base platform; at least one attachment wall which extends from the base platform; first and second end walls at opposite ends of the base platform; engagement means in the base platform configured for engagement with the base platform of another anchoring device.
 11. The anchoring device of claim 10 in combination with a similarly configured anchoring device, wherein the engagement means in the base platform of a first anchoring device is engaged with the engagement means in the base platform of a second anchoring device.
 12. The anchoring device combination of claim 11 wherein a first end wall of one of the anchoring devices forms a first end of the anchoring device combination, and a second end wall of a second anchoring device forms a second end of the anchoring device combination.
 13. The anchoring device combination of claim 11 wherein the base platforms of the anchoring devices are in planar contact.
 14. The anchoring device combination of claim 11 wherein the end walls of one of the anchoring devices extend in a first direction, and the end walls of the other of the anchoring devices extend in a second direction.
 15. The anchoring device combination of claim 11 wherein the base platforms of each of the anchoring devices are generally aligned so that the end walls of each of the anchoring devices are also generally aligned.
 16. The anchoring device combination of claim 11 wherein the base platforms of the anchoring devices are offset so that the end walls of each of the anchoring devices are not aligned.
 17. The anchoring device of claim 10 in combination with a frame member, wherein the first and second end walls are in contact with surfaces of the frame member.
 18. The anchoring device combination of claim 11 in further combination with a frame member, wherein an end wall of the one of the anchoring devices is in contact with a surface of the frame member, and an end wall of the other of the anchoring devices is in contact with a surface of the frame member.
 19. An anchoring device for attachment to a first member to anchor the first member to a second member, the anchoring device comprising: a generally rectangular base platform which has a first surface and a second surface, the first and second surfaces bounded by lateral and longitudinal edges, an abutment wall which extends from a first longitudinal edge of the base platform, an attachment wall which extends from a second longitudinal edge of the base platform generally opposed to the abutment wall, a first end wall which extends from a first lateral edge of the base platform and away from the first surface of the base platform, a second end wall which extends from a second lateral edge of the base platform and away from the first surface of the base platform, the first and second end walls positioned to face generally opposed interior surfaces of the first member to which the anchoring device is attached.
 20. The anchoring device of claim 19 in combination with an identically configured anchoring device, wherein the second surfaces of the base platforms of the anchoring devices are in a face-to-face arrangement, and an end wall of one of the anchoring devices is positioned to face an interior surface of a first member, and an end wall of the other of the anchoring devices is positioned to face a generally opposing interior surface of a second member.
 21. An anchoring device for anchoring a frame member to a support member, the anchoring device comprising: a base platform having a plurality of edges; an attachment wall which extends from an edge of the base platform, the attachment wall configured for attachment to the support member; an abutment wall which extends from an edge of the base platform for positioning proximate to the frame member; first and second end walls which extend from generally opposite edges of the base platform for positioning proximate to generally opposed surfaces of the frame member, and a connector on the base platform for connection of the anchoring device to another anchoring device.
 22. The anchoring device of claim 21 in combination with another anchoring device, wherein the base platforms of the two anchoring devices are connected together, and wherein an end wall of one of the anchoring devices is located for placement proximate to a surface of the frame member, and an end wall of the other of the anchoring devices is located for placement proximate to a generally opposed surface of the frame member. 